Permutation-lock



(Model.)

F.' G. FARNHAM.

- Permutation Look. 940.238,66. Patented March 8,1881.

IINTTED STATES PATENT DEEICE.

FRANK G. FARNHAIWI, OF WHITE MILLS, ASSIGNOR TO HIMSELF AND MARCUS M.TREADWELL, OF HAWLEY, PENNSYLVANIA.

PERNIUTATION-LOCK.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 238,666, dated March 8,1881.

Application filed August 26, 1880. (Model.)

To all whom it may concern.'

Beit known that I, FRANK Gr. FARNHAM, of White Mills, in the county ofWayne and State otl Pennsylvania., have invented certain new and usefulImprovements in Pei-mutation Locks; and Idohereby declare thatthefollowing is a full, clear, and exact description ot' theinvention,which will enable others skilled in the art to which itappertains to make and use the saine, reference being had to theaccompanying drawings, which form a part ot this specilication.

My invention relates to an improvement in permutation-locks, moreespecially designed for use on drawers, though applicable to boxes anddoors; and its object is to furnish a simply constructed and easilyoperated permutation-lock ot' neat design and ornamental appearance.

In an application fora patent now pending in the United States PatentOffice I described a form ot' lock wherein the changes in thecoinbination were et't'ected by altering the position of springsinclosed in interuallynotched rings, so as to allow a toothed bar topass through only a single notch ot' a series, and thereby operate abolt. My present improvement operates on substantially the sameprinciple, but dii'ers from the former in various particulars ot'construction, which, with their manner of operation, will be now morefully described and hereinafter claimed.

In the drawings, Figure l is a perspective of the lock applied to adrawer; Fig. 2, a central longitudinal section; Fig. 3, a view of thesliding cylinder; Fig. 4, a plan view of the bolt mechanism; Fig. 5, aplan of the box and barrel; Fig. 6, a separate view of the device forchanging the combination, and Fig. 7 a separate view of one ot` theholding-rings.

In these drawings, A represents a plate of sheet metal adapted to besecured to the drawer or door by screws. It has on one side an upturuededge, a, perforated to allow the bolt to pass, and having in the centera perforation, a.

To the plate is securely attached, by rivets or in any other propermanner, a circular box or case, B, which contains the working parts, andhas perforations b c on opposite sides to give passage to the bolt.

Within the box or case B is mounted a frame, which consists ot' abarrel, d, and two standards, e e, each provided with a threadedopening, c. rIhe barrel is slotted on one side, as at j", and on theother has a groove, g, its upper end being screw-threaded a shortdistance, as shown. The frame is secured in the box or case B by screwspassing through two ot' the four openings in the latter.

D is a cylinder ot' a diameter to tit closely within the bore ot' thebarrel l in which it is intended to reciprocate. It is provided on oneside with a series ot' pins, t', of suiiicient size to work easily inthe slotfin the barrel. The cylinder 1) is bored out centrally toreceive the spindle ot' a key, E, which turns freely therein, and isattached to, or formed integral with, a head,j, and turning-plate 7c,the latter having a milled edge, and the i'ornier bearing on the end ot'the cylinder D, its diameter being equal to that ot' such cylinder. Thekeybit Z is ot' any desired forni to operate the bolt. The cylinder Dand key E are inserted in the barrel, the bitI and pins sliding in theslot f, the cylindrical end ot' the key-spindle passing through theperforation a in the plate A, and aI spring, m, t'orcing the key and rodoutward.

rIhe key, when the parts are held in their normal position by thespring' m, can be turned freely in either direction, the hit bea-ring onthe lower end ot' the barrel, and sliding past the bolt, which isrepresented as a whole by F and shown in Fig. 4. rlhis bolt is intendedmore especially for drawer and box rims, and consists of a plate, o,having a curved central cut-away portion, in which the key-bit works.Itis provided with an ordinary catch, a, Working through the slot in theiiange a, and with a stop, o. A raised arm or tlange, p, of angularshape, as shown, t'orms a surface against which the key-bit bears inoperating the bolt. The other end oi' the shank ot' the bolt passesthrough a slot, c, in the box or case, and a spring, g, holds it inposition and prevents it from dropping down.

In order that the device may be used in coni nection with bolts workingto the right or left, or up or down, four screw-holes, 7L, are providedin the sides of the box.

When the parts are in place, for convenience IOO in setting up andreading the combina-tions the slot fin the barrel is always placedupward, and this rule being observed the plate A may be turned, so as tobring the bolt in line and cause it to slide in either direction, thestandards c being always at an angle otl fortytive degrees to themovement of the bolt, and the slotted side ot' the barrel being alwaysup ward For use in connection with doors where a snap-catch is desiredthe construction would be modified, though not materially. Sonie changein the forni ofthe bolt would be made to adapt it to receive a spring;but such modilications are within the scope ot' my inveiition.

Since when the parts are in their normal position the key-bit passesover the arm p when revolved, it is evident that such bit must be forcedin, so as to bring it in contact with the said arm. In order to preventand regulate this movement of the key l provide a series of rings,carried by the barrel, by which anynumberot' combinations can be form edand chan ged at will. These rings operate on the principle of thoseshown in my application referred to; but their construction isdifferent, and specially adapted to this form of lock.

Gr represents rings denominated workingrings,77 illustrated in Figs. 2and (i. They are beveled, as shown, and provided with a milled edge toenable them to be turned freely. rlhe working-rings forni a series,diminishing` in diameter from the base ot' the barrel, in order lthatthe lower ring may be easily seized and turned by the lingers. Each ringis provided with a iiaiige, q', as shown, and is internally notched, andmarked on the outside, opposite each notch, with an appropriate symbol.Between these rings, and fitting in the hollowed portion surrounded bythe iiange q, are holding-rings H, of plain exterior, but provided onthe interior periphery with a stud, r, and a notch, s, placed oppositeone another. The stud enters the groove g in the barrel, while the notchpermits the pins on the rod D to pass freely. The anged and hollow formof the working-rings allows the holding-rings to be entirely inclosed,and forms an exceedingly compact construct-ion. The rings H are heldstationary on the barrel, the rings G revolving freely.

The device for changing the combination consists, as in my formerapplication, ot' a spring inclosed by the working-rings, having its endsbent and inserted in one ofthe notches in such ring, thus allowing` thepins on the rod D to pass through that particular notch; and as two ormore rings are used it is evident thattlie notches on all the rings inwhich the ends of the springs are placed must be in line to permit therod to be moved, and that by means of the symbols placed opposite thenotches their position may be regulated at will.

I is a cap, which is screwed onto the end of the barrel and secured by ascrew or rivet. It is provided with a small recess, t, in which the lastofthe series of pins on the part D enters and prevents it from beingunscrewed.

The operation of my lock is as follows, the combination being set onfigures 1 4 l: The rings are turned until the figures 1 4 l are broughtin line with the arrow on the cap I. The plate or handle is then pushedin, which brings the key-bitin position to bearon the arm p and throwthe bolt. The spring then throws the key and cylinder D back, and thecombination is broken by turning the rings. It is then impossible topush the keyin, though it may be revolved freely in either direction.

The lock will be linished in a neat and ornamental design, and will beot' very attractive appearance. The main advantages, however, lie in itsexceeding simplicity ot' construction and the ease with which it isoperated.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new isl. Thecombination of the barrel (1, carrying the iiiteriially-notehed rings G,a sliding cy1- inder, D, having pins, and a key, carried by such slidingcylinder. and adapted to revolve independently of said cylinder, andthereby operate the bolt.

2. rIlie combination ot' a sliding bolt, a key to operate suoli bolt, acylinder, D, provided with pins, and a series of internallynotcliedrings provided with springs.

3. The box or case B, having screw-holes h, in combination with thebarrel d,havingstaiid ards e, provided with screw-holes e', whereby therelative position ot' the barrel and box may be changed, so that themovement of the bolt may be either vertical or horizontal.

4. The described permutation-lock, consisting of a box or case, aslotted barrel, B, carrying internally-notched rings, a slidingcyliiider having pins, a key carried by such sliding cylinder, and abolt, whereby the setting up ot' the combination permits the cylindercarrying the key-to be moved longitudinally and the key to operate thebolt by an independent rotary motion.

ln testimony that I claim t-lie foregoing as my own I have hereto afxedmy signature in presence ot' two witnesses.

FRANK G. FARNHAM.

,i Witnesses J oHN MclN'rosH, F. L. MIDDLETON.

IOO

IOS

IIO

